Social Media Use and Information-Sharing Behavior among University Students: A Developing Country Perspective
AUTHORS
Prianka Akter,Research Student, Department of Information Science and Library Management University of Dhaka, Bangladesh
Dr. Sk. Mamun Mostofa,Associate Professor, Department of Information Science and Library Management University of Dhaka, Bangladesh
ABSTRACT
Social media is becoming an increasingly important source of information that affects students' social and academic lives. This study examines the use of social media and information-sharing behavior among university students in developing countries. The present research focuses on how students use social media for education, entertainment, and social connection with their classmates and how these platforms influence the information-sharing behaviors of these students. This study employed a quantitative method to investigate social media use and information-sharing behavior among university students at select universities in Bangladesh. A structured questionnaire was distributed to 420 students selected through convenience sampling, with 300 responses received. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data, while inferential statistics were employed to examine relationships between variables. The results show that students in developing countries primarily use social media for social interaction, entertainment, and occasionally for academic purposes. Popular platforms include Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram, where many students share information to stay informed, maintain social connections, and access educational content. However, concerns regarding misinformation and privacy were raised. This study highlights how infrastructural limitations, socio-cultural dynamics, and the digital divide impact social media engagement, providing valuable insights for educators and policymakers. In the future, further research is needed to investigate the complex dynamics of university students in developing nations' use of social media and information-sharing practices.
KEYWORDS
Social media, Information sharing, University students, Developing countries, Academic use
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